Successfully wrangling a catered event isn’t a small feat, especially if you’re fixing to impress your guests with something unforgettable. Whether you’re throwing a big old Texas-sized wedding in Hermann Park, a birthday blowout on the Kemah Boardwalk, or a corporate shindig along the Buffalo Bayou, dodging the usual catering conundrums is critical.
At Goode Co. Catering & Events, we put the “good” in Houston catering. From our full-service catering to our catering delivery, we have the know-how and range of services to make your event shine brighter than the Space City Skyline. We’re sharing our catering tips for large events and the ultimate gathering.
So what are y’all waiting for? It’s time to serve up something unforgettable and make your event the talk of the town.
Catering Conundrums
Problem: Picking the Wrong Caterer
Picking the right Houston catering service is like picking the right dance partner; it sets the tone for the entire shindig. If you’ve chosen a caterer that doesn’t communicate with you, has mixed online reviews, is unclear about pricing, and isn’t flexible, it might be time to think of an alternative solution.
Solution: Asking the Right Questions
When hunting for the right Houston catering service folks, keep an eye on their reputation, experience, and what other cowboys are saying about them in their reviews. Ask for references and follow up with them to understand their reliability and quality. Planning for a large corporate shindig or a holiday event? That takes some extra thought. You’ll want a catering team that can handle the logistics of serving a big crowd while keeping the food hot, fresh, and on time. Make sure they’ve got experience. It’s also crucial to ask questions and lots of them, including the following:
Questions to ask catering companies about their experience:
- Are you a part of any business associations or groups?
- How many events do you cater a year?
- Have you ever worked at my venue before?
- How many other events are you handling on the day of my event?
- Do you specialize in any particular style of service, such as buffer, plated dinners, or family-style?
- What’s the largest crowd you can serve?
- What size gatherings do you usually cater for?
- Have you worked on events like mine before? What kind of themes or types have you created?
- Who’ll be the on-site coordinator or manager for my large event?
A top-notch caterer such as Goode Co. Catering & Events, will take the time to sit down with you to understand your vision, budget, location, and dietary needs, ensuring everything goes smoothly. If they don’t have experience with the type of food you want, they’ll be honest and let you know!
Problem: Head Count
Imagine telling the caterer that 50 people are coming to your corporate holiday event, only to have 100 show up. Not planning for the correct number of people could lead to food and drink shortages, venue overcrowding, and a visit from the fire department.
Solution: Start Counting
The golden rule of catering tips for large events, whether in Houston or anywhere else, is to nail down your headcount ASAP. As the host or planner, round up a detailed guest list and get those RSVPs rolling in as quickly as a jackrabbit. Once you’ve got your numbers, tack on an extra five to ten folks in case. Whether your event’s small or Texas-sized, it’s always smart to plan for a few last-minute tagalongs because no matter how buttoned up you are, someone always shows up unannounced.
Problem: Don’t Let Your Guests Go Hungry
In Texas, food isn’t just fuel—it’s hospitality. So, running out of food isn’t an option when you’re hosting. Whether it’s a BBQ or a formal event, nothing puts a damper on the party, such as empty serving dishes or underestimating just how hungry folks will be.
Solution: Keep the Plates Full and the Guests Happy
The following are several tips for successful event catering when faced with this problem.
- Get an accurate headcount: Count the number of people attending and anticipate big eaters.
- Plan for unexpected guests: An experienced caterer will plan an extra 2-5% of food for unexpected guests. Life happens, and sometimes Uncle Joe will show up with a plus-one.
- Control portion sizes: Use scoops, spoons, or scales to ensure consistent portion sizes so no one takes a Texas-sized helping at the expense of others.
- Overestimate on purpose: It’s better to have too much than not enough. Ask your caterer to provide more food well in advance. This may be more expensive, and some food could be wasted.
- Keep seconds in mind: Texans love seconds, so make sure there’s enough for those who want to circle back for another helping of brisket or pecan pie.
- Think food safety: Separate the hot from the cold and keep everything fresh to avoid cross-county contamination.
Problem: Not Understanding Your Audience
Some Houston catering advice would be to serve our famous BBQ and brisket from Goode Co. Catering & Events, which are unsuitable for a vegetarian conference. That’s why it’s essential to know your catering audience.
Solution: Personalize Your Offerings for More Wow Moments
Consider who and what your audience would prefer when choosing catering menu ideas. Providing a well-balanced spread with a little something for everyone is one of those large-scale catering best practices that makes sense, especially here in Houston, Texas.
For example, if you have a few vegans or guests with dietary restrictions on your guest list, try Goode Co. Catering & Events’ guacamole station. You’ll be bound to impress! Our team will make made-to-order guacamole with queso fresco, radishes, pepitas, jalapenos, cilantro, and more. We know it’s all about variety and quality in Texas, so make sure your menu caters to all tastes and needs.
Problem: Overlooking the Space
When planning your event, focusing on the menu and forgetting the space is easy. However, the venue and catering setup for large events go hand in hand. Will your caterer need access to the kitchen? Will the venue provide one? If not, what adjustments will need to be made? Fantastic venues like our very own Armadillo Palace and Kitchen & Cantina are designed with events in mind. Still, external venues like the White Oak Music Hall will only work if your caterer understands their layout and potential limitations. Failure to do so could result in serious hiccups on event day.
Solution: Talk It out and Plan Ahead
Most caterers are familiar with the most popular venues in their area. Luckily for Goode Co. Catering & Events, we have a list of venues in Houston that we regularly work with, making coordination a breeze. Yes, there’s a trend these days to use rather unorthodox spaces to host, such as barns or warehouses. If that’s your case, why not consider touring the space with your caterer in advance so they can determine whether they can work in it?
Picking the right venue and ensuring your caterer can seamlessly operate in the space is just as important as the menu itself. With some upfront planning, you’ll set the scene for an unforgettable event.
Problem: Overlooking the Budget
At Goode Co. Catering & Events, we often get the type of clients who’ve fallen down the social media rabbit hole. One scroll turns into another, and pretty soon, you’ve included all of the top catering trends for 2025 in your list of big ideas that keep getting fancier and pricier! While you may want to feature a pig roast (which we offer at Goode Co. Catering & Events), you may not have enough guests (we require a minimum of 100 guests).
Solution: Wrangle your Budget
Don’t go blowing your whole budget on food and drinks right off the bat. Instead, take a page from the playbook of Houston’s catering experts: break your event into sections and assign a mini-budget for each. Then, you can see what you have to work with and what you can rearrange for effective splurging.
Smart splurging means spending money on the things your guests will appreciate and notice—the ones they’ll keep talking about well after the event. Ineffective splurging involves paying for organic oranges for the orange juice instead of buying large amounts of store-bought OJ.
Problem: Not Taking into Account Special Dietary Needs
If you reckon that offering just one vegetarian meal and one meat option will keep your guests happy, you probably haven’t been to a big old catered event lately.
When choosing the perfect menu for your private event, variety is the name of the game. Think of it like throwing a BBQ—sure, the brisket might be the headliner, but you’ve got to have sides, salad, and maybe even a plant-based option to make sure everyone is happy. Whether gluten-free, vegan, or just plain comfort food, giving your guests choices shows you care enough to consider what they need.
Solution: Make Smart Choices for Guests to Feel Comfortable
Here’s the deal: folks have dietary restrictions for various reasons- religious, health, allergies, diets, and political statements—so offering a flexible menu is in your best interest.
Goode Co. Catering & Events
For over 40 years, Goode Co. Catering & Events has been helping Houstonians host, cater, and coordinate a wide range of events, bringing the flavors of Texas to gatherings both big and small. Whether you’re throwing a casual backyard get—together or a grand wedding, we have the experience and expertise to make it unforgettable.
Our stress-free, full-service menu offers a variety of mouth-watering selections that’ll have your guests coming back for seconds. We’re talking tender pork ribs, smokey brisket, and homemade jalapeno sausage, all cooked low and slow over mesquite. Craving something different? We’ve got sizzling fajitas, fresh catfish, and even oysters, and the menu. And don’t forget to round it all out with a selection of fine spirits, wine, and beer to keep the good times rolling.
For those looking for a more casual option, our catering delivery menus are perfect for events like a backyard bash, a breakfast BBQ, or a fajita fiesta. With Goode Co. Catering & Events, you can count on fresh and flavorful food delivered to you.
Let’s Make Your Event Goode!
At Goode Co. Catering & Events, it’s all about making your event as stress-free as possible while serving up that authentic Texas hospital and flavor. So whether it’s a milestone celebration, a corporate gathering, or just an excuse to get together, we will bring the Goode stuff to your table.
Fixing to plan an unforgettable event? Give us a holler, and let’s make it happen-Texas style!